Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-03-04


Record; and along with it he would have printed
the plan submitted, at the last moment, by the
anG sc wSee
blame lay for the failure by this Congress to do
lS,g any,tnlng towards inaugurating some efficient m
dlHerence between the Senate managers and
house managers was on the question OF purchaS-
ing steel for the purpose OF making steel guns OF
tne hISheSt type. The question might be summed
IN one 0ltence: Whether steel guns should be
suDordlnated to caSt-rOn guns, or caSt-irOn guns
suDordlnated to the highest type OF steel guns.
THE CoUNTRY's DEFENsEs ALLOWED TO CRUMBLE.
Mr.. Hawley, (another OF the conferees) said that
ne desired to emphasize this most extraordinary
condition Of affairs; there was no fortication bill
for the current year. for the next year. SO far
as concerned the army coast defenses and the
neavy guns, nothing whatever had been done.
There was no money to cut the grass along the
glacis OF the forts, or to buy shingles or nails
for the old sheds and dwellings OF the forts-n0t
one solitary cent The work was stopped, and all
the property at these forts was left to rack and
rum Tor the coming two years. The simple state
ment of somebody" He had no doubt whatever
that, II the whole subject could have been left
open to the full and free deiberatton of Congress
something would have been done which would
have been credit TO the country. So far
as the Senate was concerned the Record
both sides OF the chamber had been fully up to
the popular demand. He could not fathOm the
motive OF those men who had practically plucked
this matter. He knew that there had been hang.
ing around the halls and corridors OF the Capitol
men representing the Haskell gun and represent
facture 12-inch cast iron guns and 1nnumerable
cast iron mortars. Men had tried to tie Congress
to those worn out Old projects, but they had been
Congress had agreed to order vessels for the navy
and and guns OF The most modern type for the ships 81
contracts for 1000 tons OF forged steel Of the best
class. He predicted that before next December
there would be in this country plant capable OF
taking any contract for steel.
MIR. German the third conferee) thought that
neither OF his fellOwcOnferees had stated the mat
ter fairly. After long conference all had agreed
that the board should consist of the Secretary OF
War; The Secretary OF the Navy, the general OF the
army and two civilians to be appointed by the
President. Then the proposition had come up to
buy SIX millions worth OF steel, to be manufac-
tured In the government shops. AS to that, there
was no difference OF opinion. But it was coupled
with the condition from the House confer
ees that an additional appropriation should
be made throwing open TO the inventive
genius OF the country the opportunity to manufac-
AT this point Mr. German yielded the floor tenn
porariiy. and the cOnfereeS report was laid aside
Informally in order to let other matters Of business
be rushed through.
BILLS PASSED.
The following bills were passed:
House bill, with amendment, to provide for the
redemption and sale OF the school farm lands at
Beaufort, S. c.
Senate bill appropriating $4,000 for the ex-
penses Of Senate Investigations ordered this ses-
sion.
House bill for the loan OF government articles to
the Industrial exposition at Minneapolis.
House bill apprOpriating $1OO, 600 for public
building ut East Saginaw, Mich.
10 amend the act Ior the construction OF bridges
across the Cumberland and Caney Fork rivers in
Tennessee.
The resolution to investigate the executive de-
partments and inquire as to public buildings in
Washington was reconsidered. The latter pro-
vision was struck out and the resolution was then
adopted.
The conference report on the bill to amend the
national banking law by adding to the number OF
"reserve cities was agreed to. The bill is III the
nature OF substitute, and destgnates San Fran
cisco by name.
Senators Sherman and Salisbury were ap-
pointed to join like committee Oh the part OF the
House 10 wait on the President and inform him
that the two houses had completed their business
and were ready to adjourn, unless he had some
thing further to submit to them.
The discussion OF the conference report on the
fortitication bill was resumed, and Mr.. German
continued his remarks
Mr.. Hawley replied to Mr.. German.
COMMITTEE TO INVESTIGATE THE DEPARTMENTS.
The presiding officer announced the appointment
Of Senators CockreI. Harris, Jones, Of Arkansas,
Platt and CullOm as the committee on inveStiga-
tion into the executive departments: Senators
DOph and COckrell to attend the annual examina-
t1On at the Military academy, and Senators Dawes
and Gray on the board OF examiners at the Naval
academy.
THE DISTRICT BILL THROUGH.
The presiding officer signed at IL 40 the enrolled
District OF Columbia appropriation bill, and then
1t was crushed" to the President for his signature
THE DEFICIENCY BILL
Mr. Hale announced that the conference commit
the Oh the deficiency bill had agreed on q report:
but as the amendments were very numerous and
had not been printed or numbered, the committee
was not yet able to present its report. He hoped
within % novt
minutes.
THANKS TO THE PRESIDING OFFICER.
resolution OF thanks to the presiding officer
for his ability courtesy and impartiality was Of
fered by Mr.. Harris and unanimously adopted.
Bills were passed for public buildings at Paterson,
n. j., and Jacksonville, Fla.
Mr. Dawes pleaded business engagements as a
reason why he could not attend the annual exam
lnation at Annapolis, and MIR. Aldr1ch was ap-
pointed in his place.
At this point OF time (really about noon, but
with the hands on the clock dial lingering mystic
rlous!y about the quarter befOre) there was sub
sldence OF business and general lull in the Sen
ate chamber, 1t being understood that the Presi-
Capitol. One OF his secretaries, Mr. O. L. Pruden,
aappeared app at the door and announced that the
presdemt had approved and signed several certain
bills. The President himself had about that time
reached his room in the Capitol
Senator Sherman with Senator Salisbury re-
CCu Cuc 10 walt the Pr6S1-
uent or the United States and inQuire IL he had
any further communication TO make to Congress
had performed that duty, and had been assured
by the President that he had no further communi-
cation to make.
ADJOURNED SINE DIE.
The presiding officer then announced, that the
Constitutional period OF the Forty ninth Congress
having been completed, the Senate stood ad.
jOurned without day.
FAILURE OF THE DEFICIENCY BILL
1.-THE dial OF the Senate clock showed It to lack
five minutes OF the hour Of noon; but the actual
time was four minutes past. Mr. Hale had not
been able within the seventeen minutes tn which
he was limited to have prepared and to present
the conferences qopOrt on the general defctency
appropriation bilf and consequently that hill has
failed to become law.1
NOMINATIONS CONFIRuED.
Recorder TrOtter and Can't. lsreely
Among Them.
The Senate In secret session has confirmed
the following nominations
James N. TrOtter, OF Massachusetts,. to he ne
corder Of deeds for the District OF Columbia.
Capt. A. w. Greely, to be chief signal officer.
John DraytOn, OF SO 18th Carolina to be consul al
| Tuxpan; VIM. G. Allen, Of South Carolina. to bt
consul at Piedras Negras Horace +. Morse. O.
New York, to be collector of customs for the dis
trict OF Cape Vincent, NY; Arthur K. Delaney, O.
Wisconsin, to be collector of customs for the dis
Il 4&